BAICHUNG Bhutia is finally ready to establish himself in the Bury team - two years later than scheduled.

The Indian international joined the Shakers in a blaze of publicity in 1999 but failed to produce the goods and spent most of the last two years languishing in the reserves or on the subs bench.

He was widely expected to leave for pastures new during the summer but opted to honour the final 12 months of his contract and fight for his place.

Since returning to Bury from his summer holiday he has looked sharp and has impressed manager Andy Preece.

And the boss now believes that Bhutia is ready to play a key part in the Shakers quest for success this season.

"He's definitely made a claim to play that roll alongside Jon Newby," admitted Preece, after watching the striker score two classy goals in the midweek friendly win against Radcliffe Boro.

"He has started dropping off a little and feeding Jon and he played very well in that position and hopefully he can go from strength to strength there."

Preece believes the Indian can become Bury's new Colin Cramb, after the Scot - who made a huge impact at Gigg Lane during his loan period last season - recently decided to join Dutch Premier League outfit Fortuna Sittard instead of coming to Gigg Lane.

"I think Baichung's ideal roll is playing similar to what Cramby did for us, dropping a bit deeper so he doesn't have defenders up his backside all the time. That allows him to get space and link play," explained Preece.

"I was disappointed to lose Cramby but these things happen and Baichung has his chance now."

Bury's long list of pre-season fixtures continues tomorrow at Leigh's Hilton Park.

Turkish under 18 star Edward Tarsus and Maltese international Luke Dimech are both expected to get another chance to impress, while Paul Reid, Matt Barrass, Danny Swailes, along with the boss himself, will also figure.